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The Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc. - January 2014
TODAY’S FIRE SERVICE LEADERS FACE MANY NEW CHALLENGESActive Shooter’s, Cancers, Tight Budgets, Bed Bugs, Etc.
Are You Keeping Up Or Barely Staying Afloat?MANY OPPORTUNITIES COMMING UP AT THE 2014 CONFERENCE TO LEARN TO DEAL WITH TODAY’S COMPLEX ISSUES
The Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc. - January 2014
Commonwealth Chief • Visit Your Association on the Web at www.vfca.us 1
Inside This IssueShaping Virginia’s Fire ServicePage 2President’s MessagePage 3Get To Know Your Newest Enemey The Bed BugPage 6Impacts On The Fire & EMS Workforce & Barriers to VolunteerismPage 92014 Virginia Fire & Rescue ConferencePage 10Latest Firefighter Injury Report Shows That Nearly 70,000 Injuries Occurred In The Line Of Duty In 2012Page 12Meet The ChiefPage 14A Focus On Cancer Among FirefightersPage 18U.S. Fire Administration Releases Annual Report on Firefighter FatalitiesPage 21Obamacare Could Require Volunteer Agencies To Offer Health InsurancePage 25Fire Safe Cigarettes Are Major Contributor to 30 Year Low In Smoking Material Fire DeathsPage 27Cost Of Installing Residential Fire Sprinklers Averages $1.35 Per Square FootPage 282014 Fire Chiefs Foundation Golf Tournament SetPage 30Fire Is Everyone’s FightPage 32
Commonwealth Chief is published quarterly for the members of the
Virginia Fire Chiefs Association (VFCA). Comments about the articles
should be sent to the editor. Statements and opinions expressed
by paid advertisements do not necessarily refl ect those of the
Commonwealth Chief or VFCA. Publication of advertisements does
not imply endorsements by VFCA of the products or statements.
The Association reserves the right to accept, reject or edit articles.
Commonwealth Chief is published in January, April, July and
January. Deadline for article, ads, graphics and other information for
publication is on the 1st day of the previous month. Submit high-
resolution text and graphics to the VFCA Offi ce at P.O. Box 70907,
Richmond, VA 23255 or email to [email protected]. For information call
(888) 818-0983.
VFCA & Its Professional Interest SectionsSteven R. Cover, President
(757) 385-0693
H. David Hoback, 1st Vice President
(540) 853-2327
David Layman, 2nd Vice President
(757) 727-6448
Walter T. Bailey, Past President
(434) 470-9258
James H. Johnson, Treasurer
(434) 292-3935
Anthony McDowell, Division 1
(804) 501-4901
Ian Bennett, Division 2
(540) 432-7703
R. Scott Garber, Division 3
(540) 332-3884
Billy Chandler, Division 4
(276) 275-4584
Pat Dent, Division 5
(757) 220-6225
John Prillaman, Division 6
(540) 375-3080
Keith Brower, Division 7
(703) 777-0435
Nicholas J. Caputo, At-Large #1
(540) 507-7902
Jay Cullinan, At-Large #2
(540) 507-7900
Jack Jones , At-Large #3
(434) 587-0700 Ext. 1233
VACANT, At Large #4
TBD
Cindy Marshall, Adm. Professionals
(804) 768-7963
William S. Moreland, Company Offi cers
(540) 869-3542
Mark Shreve, Federal / Military
(804) 279-3166
Jimmy Carter, Executive Director
(757) 373-4561
Deborah L. Wilmoth, Administrative Assistant
(804) 536-0922
Brooke Brill, Member Services
(888) 818-0983
Bill Smith, Editor
(888) 818-0983
Get To Know Your Newest Enemy The Bed BugPage 6
2 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
SHAPING VIRGINIA’S FIRE SERVICEBy: Lynn Cherry-Miller
It began in earnest in 2011 with the adoption of a new mission
statement by the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, “The Virginia Fire
Chiefs Association, (VFCA) serves the communities of Virginia through
its fi re service leaders and advances the Fire & Rescue service through
leadership, education and advocacy.” This year it continues, VFCA
is moving forward, ‘full steam ahead,’ with clarifying its mission-re-
branding itself, stepping forward as the organization that will shape
Virginia’s fi re service through leadership, education, and advocacy.
This year’s VFCA Retreat and Strategic Planning Session were held
October 16-18 in Roanoke, Virginia. Following the board meeting on
Thursday morning of the retreat was a presentation outlining a proposed
campaign which will be used to accomplish a specifi c set of goals;
- To re-brand and raise the profi le of VFCA and its activities
- To promote Virginia’s fi re service and fi re safety across the state
- To educate the public and potential partnering businesses
- To increase VFCA membership
“I’m a VFCA Member Because…” was the campaign that was initially
presented. This would involve 30 to 60 second interviews of VFCA
members of all ranks stating why they are VFCA members to run in
print and television, followed by VFCA logo, the VFCA tag Leadership,
Advocacy, Education, and any other sponsor information.
During the course of the retreat, two additional campaigns were
discussed. Campaign #2 will consist of Fire Safety PSAs direct from
the Fire Chief – “Your Safety is My Chief Concern” print and televised.
As many chiefs as possible will tape at least one fi re safety message.
For example, “Cooking is the leading cause of home fi res and home fi re
injuries. In the City of (xxx) alone, (xxx) number of fi res were attributed
to cooking. To protect your family, never leave cooking unattended.
Your safety is my chief concern.” That statement must accompany each
safety message. Each PSA would be followed by a local association
logo if there is one, VFCA logo, and the VFCA tag Leadership, Advocacy,
Education, and any other sponsor information. This could also be done
using a group of fi re chiefs from a particular association using “Your
Safety is Our Chief Concern.”
Campaign #3 will teach through humor. Sparky Burns is a comical
character whose missteps and mispronunciations always bring a smile
while educating the general public and appealing to younger potential
members.
Just imagine what a powerful impact these combined promotional
efforts will make across the state. All would bring positive attention to
the VFCA and in turn to the fi re service in general; what’s good for the
VFCA is good for Virginia’s fi re service as a whole. Will you participate
and contribute to the shaping of Virginia’s fi re service?
You can help, not only by agreeing to participate in the campaigns, but
also by making the effort to provide to the media any positive things that
occur in your individual department, or by volunteering resources like
personnel who have video editing experience. If you have questions, or
comments, feel free to contact me, [email protected] or 727-6431.
Presidents Message
Commonwealth Chief • Visit Your Association on the Web at www.vfca.us 3
WINTER DRIVINGBecause inclement weather can pose challenges for even the most experienced drivers, the VFCA encourages you to gear up for winter driving.
Practice everyday safe driving... buckle up, adjust your speed to the driving conditions and stay alert.
Tips• Drive with your headlights on.
• When the roads are icy, slow down
and allow extra time to reach your
destination.
• Watch for icy surfaces on bridges,
even when the rest of the road seems
to be in good condition.
• If your tires lose traction, continue
to look and steer in the direction you
want to go. If the drive wheels start
to spin or slide while going up a hill,
ease off the accelerator slightly and
then gently resume speed.
• Look further ahead in traffi c. Actions
by other drivers will alert you to
problems and give you extra seconds
to react.
• Avoid cutting in front of trucks, which
need more time than passenger
vehicles to stop.
• Remember that four-wheel drive
helps you to get going more quickly,
but it won’t help you stop any faster.
• Apply constant, fi rm pressure to the
pedal with anti-lock brakes.
• If you get stuck in snow, straighten
the wheel and accelerate slowly.
Add sand or cat litter under the drive
wheels to avoid spinning the tires.
Remember Over 30% of LODD’s occur responding to
and returning from incidents.
What are you doing to reduce this
alarmingly high number?
Happy 2014 to everyone. I hope you enjoyed the holidays with family and friends. It is hard to believe that 2013
has come to an end, but I’m excited about the opportunities that exist in 2014 for our organization. In October
the full Board met in Roanoke to review the past year and set goals for the coming year. I would like to touch on
some of the issues briefl y. We worked hard in 2013 to advance the VFCA on three fronts - Leadership, Education,
and Advocacy – and the Board still feels these focus areas are relevant as we move into the future. The VFCA
is a leader in Virginia’s fi re service through our involvement, along with other Fire and EMS organizations, in
shaping the way forward for our profession. We have members on several boards, commissions, and work groups
across the State working on issues that impact our service delivery and citizens. Finally, we provide some cutting
edge educational opportunities for our members through our annual conference and the Fire Offi cer’s Academy
held each summer in Richmond. Please plan on attending the Virginia Fire Conference, February 20-23, 2014, in
Virginia Beach, and I encourage you to bring someone with you who has not had the opportunity to attend. The
VFCA has already been working for the past several months to ensure we are bringing the relevant issues facing
the fi re service to our representatives in Richmond. On October 6, 2013, several of our Board Members, along with
several State Legislators, met and formed the Virginia Fire and EMS Caucus. This meeting was the springboard
that I hope leads to greater advocacy for the fi re service in Virginia.
As we move into 2014, there will be some changes within the VFCA. First, we will see a mainstay of the
organization step down to spend more time with his family. Chief Jimmy Carter will be missed on several fronts.
He has been an out front leader of this association for over two decades as a Board Member, Past President, and
the Executive Director. His insight and leadership has provided the VFCA the stability necessary to transition into
the future. On a personal note, I want to thank Chief Carter for his guidance and direction in my career with the
Virginia Beach Fire Department and as this Association’s President. He has been a true mentor for me!
This move will provide the opportunity for Chief Chris Eudailey to become the next Executive Director for the VFCA.
Chief Eudailey has also been very active in the organization as a Board Member and Past President and he will
bring great knowledge to the position. I want to thank Chief Eudailey for his leadership.
As I transition from the role of President, I want to thank all of you for allowing me this opportunity. While I have
been very busy trying to represent our members, I have learned so much along the way and I have met some
people who are truly the greatest public servants on earth. I want to also thank our Board Members, along with
Deborah Wilmoth, Ed Rhodes, Jimmy Johnson, Nick Caputo, Bill Smith, and Sharon Baroncelli, for their expertise
and desire to improve the VFCA. I am proud of the working relationship that has been established between the
Past Presidents, the First and Second Vice-Presidents, and me over the past several years. We have been able
to create agendas and direction that will be sustained as we move forward into 2014 and beyond. So thank you
Chief Jack Jones, Chief Walt Bailey, Chief Dave Hoback, and Chief Dave Layman for all of your time, effort, and
leadership.
I believe 2014 will be another great year for this organization. Please get involved in some capacity in order to
continue the legacy.
Thanks for all you do and stay safe!
Steve Cover
2014 VFCA President
Virginia Beach Fire Department
4 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
Membership ApplicationJoin today by filling out the membership application and paying online at www.vfca.us or
Mail this application and payment (check payable to VFCA): VFCA • P.O. Box 70907 • Richmond, VA • 23255-0907
Name:________________________________________ Fire Dept/Organization: _________________________FDID#_________
Rank/Title: ___________________________________ Chief Offi cer: Yes No Retired: Yes No
Address:_____________________________________________ City:__________________ State:_______ Zip:_____________
Phone:_____________________________ Fax:__________________________ Email: __________________________________
Pay by Credit card: Visa Master Card AMEX Discover
Credit card #:________________________________ Exp. Date:____________ Security Code: (3digit # on back)_________
Name on Card:__________________________ Billing Address if different from above:________________________________
Please check the following:
Register me as one of the following Sections: Admin. Professionals Federal/Military Company Offi cer None
DFP Division: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Type of Department: Volunteer Career Combination
If you have questions concerning this application and/or membership status, contact VFCA Member Services at (888) 818-0983 or email [email protected]
VFCA Member AdvantageMission StatementThe Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, (VFCA) serves the communities of Virginia through its fire service leaders and advances the Fire & Rescue Service through leadership, education and advocacy.
Membership CategoriesAnnual Membership fees
(Check the appropriate category)
Active
Career Chief Offi cer $75.00
Volunteer Chief Offi cer $40.00
FF & Co. Offi cer $40.00
Affi liate $40.00
Individuals in professions allied to
the fi re service (such as Sections,
Public Education; Emergency
Services; Technical Rescue or
other areas that not covered under
Active)
Corporate $100.00
Representatives of companies
with an interest in fi re prevention,
fi re suppression, insurance, or
other fi re-service-related products
Life or Honorary $20.00
Individuals who have been
selected to receive Life or
Honorary Membership in the
Association by a vote of the
Executive Board.
(Life or Honorary members receive
complimentary membership. To receive
mailings, the member fee is $20/yr.)
Member BenefitsYour membership in the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association makes you a member of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Foundation, the companion non-profi t educational organization that offers educational seminars, the Virginia Fire Offi cer Academy, the scholarship program and other such worthy programs. It’s a full palette of programs and services from which you can choose those of particular interest to you, the VFCA member.
1. Career DevelopmentMid-Atlantic Expo & Symposium (MAE&S)The premier fi re and emergency services conference offering a mix of association business, networking and over 40 educational sessions during the event The MAE&S is a cost and time effi cient way to sharpen your skills, expand your knowledge base and broaden your fi re service network.
Virginia Fire Offi cer AcademyThis award winning four-and-a-half-day program assists fi re and emergency services professionals to move from a tactical view to a comprehensive strategic view of fi re and emergency services, operations, personnel safety, and administration. Participants will enhance their professional development through a unique four and one-half day hands-on, interactive learning experience designed to provide a better understanding of the relationship between leadership, ownership and safety.
Educational Seminars
From broad-based tactical and fi re
ground training to more focused
programs such as “Horse Sense” that
hones and prepares offi cers to lead and
manage their organizations on a day-to-
day basis.
2. Information & Idea ExchangeCommonwealth Chief Magazine
Touted as one of the country’s best fi re
and emergency services organization
member publications, Commonwealth
Chief magazine puts the latest thinking
and current issues – as well as all you
need to know about your association –
in your hands on a quarterly basis.
Exhibitor Trade Show
The exhibitor show, held in conjunction
with the Annual Conference, presents a
unique opportunity for chiefs, company
offi cer’s, fi refi ghters and others to spend
quality time with the vendors who
provide the very latest in technology,
products and services utilized by today’s
modern fi re service.
VFCA Website at www.vfca.us
Your source for the latest wide-ranging
information about the association
and its activities at your fi ngertips –
24/7. Register on-line or download a
conference registration application,
peruse the latest and back issues
of Commonwealth Chief magazine,
or obtain LODD information. VFCA’s
website is changing continually to
provide you with the information you
need when you need it!
Networking OpportunitiesOpportunities occur throughout the year
to learn informally from your peers. At
VFCA events or on the Website, you can
connect with the fi re chiefs and other
fi re service personnel from around the
state who share your concerns, but from
a slightly different perspective.
3. Political ActionLegislative Summit
VFCA leadership plays a leading role
in the Annual Legislative Summit
where major fi re/EMS organizations
from across the Commonwealth come
together to decide what legislative
issues are important and relative in
today’s ever changing environment.
AdvocacyMembers and leaders take the fi re
service story directly to state and
federal elected representatives to work
for laws and regulations that enhance
your ability to provide safe communities.
VFCA appointments to many state
boards and advisory bodies ensure fi re
and emergency services input on actions
that affect us all.
4. Personal/FamilyAccidental Death and Dismemberment
Insurance
Each VFCA member is provided with
AD&D insurance benefi ts in the event
an unexpected tragedy should strike.
Commonwealth Chief • Visit Your Association on the Web at www.vfca.us 5
6 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
“Hey Chief one of your stations has a beg bug problem.” This exact statement was made
to me one morning back in May of this year. Unfortunately, the word problem was later
upgraded to Infestation. A vast majority of the general public are aware that bed bugs are
a growing concern. In spite of this fact, many industries continue to be plagued with the
presence of the parasites. Infestations have been noted in hospitals, nursing facilities and
even airports! When asked, many people say the Hotel/Motel industry has suffered the
most with regard to infestations. However, I am of the opinion they have responded more
defi nitively than any other industry. There are many reasons for this, fi rst and foremost
profi ts. As stories about bed bugs became more prevalent in the news, many travelers
became “skittish” and altered travel plans, affecting profi ts. And while this article is not
about the Hotel/Motel industries’ profi t loss, there are many lessons to be learned in their
response to the problem. We will take a look at a few of these later.
There were many lessons learned (the hard way) by Norfolk Fire-Rescue.
NFR, a 500 member department, serves the citizens of Norfolk and more than 100,000 visitors each day. The department operates out of 14 stations and responds on
over 40,000 calls a year. Calls range from emergency medical, commercial and residential structure fi res, hazardous materials and, technical rescue events. Needless
to say our job takes us into a vast number of locations. All of which may or may not have these unwanted guests. Our initial encounter with bed bugs occurred at
fi re Station 15 in May of this year. At the outset, a few department members began notifying the chain of command that they had unusual bites. While our response
was immediate, we still did not realize we were dealing with a Bed Bug problem. Station 15, built in 1963, recently had undergone renovations to upgrade the HVAC
system. It was thought that the renovation had loosed insects living in walls i.e. spiders, etc. When the department fi nally came to the realization the bites were the
result of bed bugs, it was clear, we had an infestation!
Get to Know Your Newest Enemy The Bed Bug… Lessons Learned By: Battalion Chief William Tull (Norfolk Fire-Rescue)
EducationIn the case of Station 15 there was a two week timeframe between
employees reporting bites and the confi rmation of an infestation.
There were a few reasons for this delay. The fi rst, already mentioned,
we thought we were dealing with different pests (i.e. spiders).
Exterminators were called in to inspect the station. As a matter of fact,
the station underwent two inspections. Neither of which revealed the
presence of bed bugs. It is obvious now; we did not know what we
were looking for. Realizing Station 15 was infested led to a few “gut
checks” for our department leadership. The fi rst being, “it can happen
here” and the other we were under-educated about the problem.
A plethora of information can be found about bed bugs from many
sources. Make sure the sources are reliable. In the absence of
information from department leadership, employees will begin seeking
it from less than accurate sources. This was the case in our situation
and it created more problems. The presence of the bugs was missed
at Station 15 because the parasites were in the early stages of their
growth cycle.
As shown in the diagram, the bed bug must progress through 5 molting
stages after hatching. To progress to each growth stage, they must have
a blood meal. Visual detection of the pests cannot be achieved until they
are in the later stages. Again, it is believed Station 15 members who
reported bites, were the victims of bugs in these early growth stages. • Take a blood meal then molt • Molt = 5-8 days at 27 C
Commonwealth Chief • Visit Your Association on the Web at www.vfca.us 7
ISO Points for using NFIRS…Are you aware that in ISO’s (Insurance Service Office) fire suppression rating, fire departments can earn up to six points for reporting in NFIRS?
1043 USE OF THE NATIONAL INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM (IRS)Give credit for satisfactory reporting using the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for the 3 years before the evaluation. Up to ……………..6 points
Lesson 1 – Don’t ASSUMEIt was assumed that the situation at Fire Station 15 was an isolated incident. This
assumption was severely incorrect. Department leadership did monitor the situation for
month’s following the infestation. Unfortunately, we failed to understand the resilience
of these parasites and their ability to migrate. Bed bugs have been labeled as excellent
“hitch-hikers”. Additionally, the adult bed bug can live up to 12 months without a blood
meal. Even though Station 15 was clear, it was a matter of time before NFR would again
encounter an infestation. Factors such as call volume, “fi ll-ins” (personnel being detailed
to other stations for 12 or 24 hours) and, the absence of control/prevention strategies, led
to a second fi re station becoming infested.
Lesson 2 – Immediately ACTIn early October a second infestation was reported at Fire Station #1. Once again, an
extermination company was called in to identify the extent of the problem. Bed bugs were
located in the personnel bunkroom and all offi cers sleeping quarters. Fire Station #1 is
a two story building. No bugs were found on the fi rst fl oor of the station. It was obvious
the problem had not gone away and a more urgent response was needed. Department
leadership met and began exhausting all efforts to keep the problem isolated to a
single station. This was extremely diffi cult. All department resources were called upon
to fi nd solutions to the problem. These included Operations, Fire Prevention, Logistics,
Public Information and the Health/Safety divisions. In similar fashion to Station 15, all
personal belongings and issued gear were removed from the station and required to be
decontaminated. Furnishings, carpet and, mattresses were removed from the station. With
the assistance of the Fire Marshal’s offi ce, NFR partnered with the Norfolk Redevelopment
and Housing Authority (NRHA). NRHA had extensive experience with these parasites.
Bed bugs are attracted to the CO2 we emit while sleeping. They are typically found in
carpet, baseboards and, bed frame components. NRHA specifi cally uses heat to kill these
parasites, a method consistent with the hotel/motel industries’ approach. They employ
three commercial heaters. Affected rooms are emptied of electronics and personal items.
Beds, bed frames and other furnishings are placed in these rooms and heat is applied. The
devices raise the ambient temperature to around 130 degrees. This heat level is sustained
for 3-4 hours. This method kills not only adult bed bugs, but eggs and larvae as well. Heat
was applied to all affected rooms of Fire station #1 with excellent results.
Lesson 3 – Don’t Alarm, INFORMThe idea that bed bugs are present, whether in a hotel, residence or fi re station, is unsettling
for the majority of people. Fire-Rescue personnel are no exception. As previously stated,
many department members began seeking information from less than reliable sources.
Several employees began submitting injury reports resulting from what they thought
were bed bug bites. Providing timely information to your department will prevent wide
spread panic and misinformation. The sooner this information is provided the better. The
department developed a fact sheet identifying the steps being taken to address the problem.
The information was disseminated to all employees through battalion meetings conducted
by department command staff. In addition to these efforts a PowerPoint presentation was
developed and all department members were required to view it. Topics included bed bug
identifi cation, signs of an infestation and, decontamination procedures. NFR maintains an
open relationship with local media partners and the community. Requests for information
were provided in a timely fashion to all media outlets that requested it. In addition to these
steps, Bed bug traps were placed in all stations to provide early detection of a problem.
The traps, baited with a CO2 pheromone, are only designed to identify the presence of
bugs. They are not meant to eliminate them. Nonetheless, the traps also provided some
much needed “peace of mind” to department members.
Going ForwardBed Bugs will continue to be a national issue. Thankfully, NFR has been
free of bed bugs for several months. However; based on the experience
and education we now possess, our guard is not down. The department
has employed several “ongoing” strategies aimed at preventing
any further infestations. These include: Early detection (traps), early
notifi cation and, a daily station cleaning regimen. The department
has revised general orders concerning Infection Control and Station
Maintenance. Each station was provided with several tools to aid in
housekeeping endeavors. These included Shark steamers (designed to
heat cracks and crevices of bed frames) and bag less vacuums. Finally,
all bed mattresses and box springs were covered with encasements.
With the assistance of NRHA, a GREEN product was purchased and
placed in all stations and on each medic unit. The product is mostly
vinegar, kills bed bugs on contact.
Final ThoughtsA few fi nal points to consider… Make sure your department members understand how to prevent contaminating their homes. Also, provide them with the education necessary to avoid infesting citizen’s homes and businesses. Finally, remember when an infestation occurs it can be costly. When alerted to a possible problem, respond immediately. Do not assume anything. The costs incurred by NFR to deal with these infestations exceeded $30,000 dollars. An expensive lesson, indeed!
Confirmed bed bug bites. Notice the bites are all in a row
ResponseStation 15 personnel were instructed to remove from the station, all personal effects from both gear and personal lockers. Additionally, personnel were instructed to
decontaminate turnout gear and uniforms. Carpet was removed from all areas of the station down to bare fl oors. This was based on the fact that carpeted surfaces are
prime hiding places for eggs and larvae. Finally, all furniture including, bed frames, mattresses, chairs and, sofas were totally removed from the station and disposed
of. The department would later learn that this was an unnecessary step. Once this process had been completed, the treatment of the station began. In the weeks
following these treatments, a few employees still reported seeing bugs. What’s more, the department was relying on an extermination process designed to control,
not eliminate, the pests. While our goal was to eliminate the pests, we lacked experience with them. NFR would later learn that the best method for eradication of
bed bugs is the application of heat. Station 15 received the “all clear” about a month following the initial reports. The victory however, was short lived. Our problems
were far from over.
ANNOUNCING!FireSafe Family VA
Visit
For your iPhone and iPad
For your Android devices
With FireSafe Family VA, you’ll learn how to protect your family and your home
Commonwealth Chief • Visit Your Association on the Web at www.vfca.us 9
Impacts on the Fire & EMS Workforce & Barriers to VolunteerismBy: Chief Jack Jones
Stop and ask yourself, in our current public safety environment are we
seeing qualifi ed candidates lining up to serve in fi re and rescue roles in
the numbers that we once did? Or more importantly, in the numbers that
our department and community require? If you said no to either, then
keep reading. If you said yes, then please write your formula for success
in an article for the next Commonwealth Chief.
If the economy, demand for service, complexity of our disciplines and
culture of our community as well as that of our potential members has
changed, why then should the Fire and Rescue leadership and local
government offi cials continue to think that our approach should stay
the same. Training, education and certifi cation parameters remain
unapproachable as the historic immovable pillars of yesteryear. If we
as a discipline, not career or volunteer, but simply as a discipline of Fire
& Rescue responders desire to continue being the very service that our
citizens require, then we as a collective group must recognize that it
is time for active participation in the very things that impact recruiting
prospective candidates. It is said that the fi rst step to being a leader is
to be present, now more than ever we need to be present and engaged
in the discussion of what are becoming the barriers to recruitment.
It may be reasonable to submit that with our present workforce
defi cit, the critical need for appropriately trained responders available
to communities is bordering on crisis. The fi rst step is to defi ne
“appropriate,” one item that must be considered in light of initial
entry and basic skills required of a responder. What knowledge,
skills, and abilities (KSA’s) are required for entry level responders and
who is most appropriate to determine which KSA’s meet the litmus
test of “appropriate” in relation to today’s critical need for certifi ed
local responders. Academic models may have a place in the overall
preparation of our emergency services workforce; however, one key
word in our title is “responder”. If we allow external forces to so clog
our pipeline that we are not in a position to get responders through
the training matrix due to bureaucracy, policy, and national standards,
then we are no longer response agencies. We have allowed ourselves
to become academic institutions or museums of theory, versus fi re and
rescue response organizations.
In light of the increases in training hour requirements over the past
years, Firefi ghter I & II and Haz-Mat Operations increase and EMT
training hour increases from 80 hours prior to 1996 to a total of
over 150 hours in 2013. These increases have had an impact on our
members, departments and communities in real and tangible ways.
Keep in mind that local fi rst responder availability is not a career versus
volunteer issue and there is a real need for appropriately credentialed
responders. Some changes resulted in unintended consequences and
subsequent detrimental impacts promoted by various external forces as
professionalism, better service, patient care and external mandates as
the reason for change.
The local level fi re and rescue leaders of our Commonwealth must be seated squarely in
the center of any decision making discussions on training and certifi cation that impact the
availability of these critical fi rst responders. After all, emergencies are local in nature!
National standards and state mandates should never be considered without a pulse check
at the most grass roots level to determine how any changes or standards will impact the
very people that need our service, our friends, neighbors and family.
The VFCA is aggressively pursuing this very topic to determine how better to meet the needs
of our responders and citizens. If an individual has to wait 45 minutes for a Paramedic with
a glitter patch versus 15 minutes for an appropriately trained and credentialed EMT or
Certifi ed First Responder, is that “better care” or just “care delivered at a higher level”? Is
it important to have entry level fi refi ghters that poses all of the skill sets and knowledge
components of the current curriculum on the nozzle or a fi refi ghter with a blended learning
from a selection of topical areas with a knowledge base obtained over time, to be as
effective? Would this not meet the immediate need for communities to get boots on the
ground in a structured, safe and appropriate methodology?
In the past weeks we have been afforded the opportunity to speak about this matter with
the State EMS Advisory Board Executive Committee at the EMS Symposium in Norfolk, to
the Virginia Fire Services Board at its November meeting in Glen Allen and to the Virginia
Association of Counties (VACo) at their annual conference in Bath County as well as the
Regional EMS Council Executive Directors state wide meeting in Bedford County. What is
consistently shared with these groups is that attention to detail is needed in our programs,
and how changes impact overall recruitment and how doing business the old way without
bringing stake holders to the table may not be the most benefi cial practice in regards to
work force development and retention. If after deep and open review and assessment
things can not change in regards to training and certifi cation to allow for fl exibility in initial
certifi cation, then at least we have fact based data that supports the current methodology.
In the volunteer arena, unnecessary hours in training negatively impacts time away from
work and family, or time may simply not be available and therefore results in loss of
potential or long serving volunteer members. In the career arena the length of time for
training correlates to funding for training hours and lack of availability of an assigned
individual “in company”. In relation to ongoing training, the correlation comes now to
back fi lling of assigned positions for recertifi cation hours all of which negatively impacts
the agency budget. In our current economy the need to be prudent fi scal managers is a
routine that will not be going away any time soon. The detrimental impact on training
and therefore agency budgets due to increased requirements for training that may not be
necessary cause serious consequences to a community’s ability to provide critical service.
Our goal in Virginia should always be to insure the appropriate preparation and fi elding
of a local and statewide workforce, prepared to provide service, not approach public
safety training and education as a catalyst that prepares responders for employment in
other states or disciplines. What we will gain if a concerted multi-level approach to fi rst
responder training and certifi cation is achieved, is an appropriate citizen and responder
focused collaboration that meets safety and service delivery goals of our communities!
Chief Jack Jones, Jr. EFO, CEMSO, is the Chief of Department, Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue and is
a past President of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and current Board Member.
10 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT HELDThe VFCA Board of Directors and Committee Chairs held their annual retreat in October, hosted by Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem Fire Departments in Roanoke, Virginia. The purpose of the retreat was to reflect and celebrate the accomplishments of the association during the past year, decide the goals for the coming year and plan for how to accomplish them. The retreat started off with an excellent presentation by Virginia Tech University titled “The Lean Management Program” We then moved into reviewing our goals for 2013 and the successes we had during the past 12 months as well as the issues we need to improve on. We followed that by laying out the issues that are most important to move the association forward within the next 12 months and beyond. Those issues are: Membership Growth; Financial Stability (Sustainability); Division VP’s responsibilities; Committee function/job description; Working with/promoting the Foundation; Outreach Training Programs; Communication, internal & external; refining the new VFCA website; and other ideas. Our facilitator, again this year, was Ms. Sharon Baroncelli who did an outstanding job of leading us through the process.
Representatives of Virginia’s fire and emergency medical services first responder stakeholders came together earlier this year to discuss and identify the top legislative initiatives affecting our service areas. Photo: David Bailey
2014 Virginia Fire And Rescue ConferenceThe Name Has Changed, But The Mission Has Not!By Nick Caputo
Normally in this issue of the Commonwealth Chief, the Professional Development Committee usually takes time to
highlight the upcoming training and development programs that are being planned for the upcoming conference.
However, I think most of you can fi nd all you need to know about the 2014 conference at the VFCA website under the
“conference” window.
With that being said, the Conference Planning Committee, with the support of the Executive Board, has decided to
change the name of the VFCA Conference. Since its inception, the conference has been referred to in many ways: Mid-
Atlantic Expo and Symposium, State Chiefs Conference, VFCA Conference and the Virginia Chiefs Conference, etc. Now
in effect for 2014, the new name of our conference will be the Virginia Fire and Rescue Conference. This name change
was made to let all fi re service personnel know that our conference is not just for chiefs, and that it is open to all types
and ranks of fi re service personnel. In addition, our conference is not just about fi re. We realize that the fi re service is
multi-disciplined and includes all types of responses including specialized rescue, EMS, hazmat, homeland security, etc.
For these reasons, the name change occurred.
Several of the VFCA’s strategic goals are directly related to the training and professional development of current and
future company and chief offi cers. While the name of the conference has formally changed, our commitment to delivering
a top-quality, world class conference has not changed. We implore each of you to take advantage of our affordable and
outstanding professional development opportunities; and challenge each of you to bring a fi re service friend to the 2014
Virginia Fire and Rescue Conference. We realize that times are tight and that training budgets have been cut, however,
we ask that you continue to support YOUR conference and ensure that YOUR personnel receive the training that they
deserve. Neither you, nor they, will be disappointed in the quality of training and the overall “bang for the buck” that
is offered at our conference. The VFCA truly needs your department’s SUPPORT at the 2014 Virginia Fire and Rescue
Conference! Can we count on you to attend and bring a friend?
Mark your calendars for February 20 - 23, 2014. Please visit www.vfca.us for more details.
See you at the Beach!
12 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
NFPA launches refreshed older adult fire and fall safety programNFPA offers free, updated fire and fall prevention program for older adults
In late October the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) produced/released a new
version of Remembering When™: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults.
Program materials, available for download at no cost, are widely used by fi re departments
and other safety educators interested in reaching older adults with fi re and fall prevention
messages developed especially for them. The revised program includes updated fi re and
fall statistics, safety messaging, trivia, art work, and inclusion of “younger” older adults.
Since 1999, Remembering When has been implemented in communities throughout North
America to help thousands of older adults learn strategies to help them live safely at home
for as long as possible. The program’s foundation remains the same: the 16 key safety
messages–eight fi re prevention and eight fall prevention–developed by experts from
national and local safety organizations and focus group testing in high fi re-risk states. The
program will continue to be implemented through group presentations, home visits, and as
part of smoke alarm installation and fall intervention programs. All of the revised training
materials are available online.
“Over the next decades, the population of older adults will increase dramatically,” said
Karen Berard-Reed, senior project manager for NFPA. “The new version targets adults who
are just entering their older years. We hope to encourage these ‘younger’ older adults to
develop important safety habits that will carry them through their senior years and help
those around them develop safer behaviors.”
Representatives of fi re departments and home visit agencies across the United States
and Canada that have been chosen to participate in the Remembering When conference
December 1-3, 2013 in Boston, were to be the fi rst trained with updated materials.
“Training is available for fi re and life safety educators at the annual NFPA Remembering
When Conference and at a variety of state and regional venues,” added Berard-Reed.
“However, you do not have to attend a training to use the program. Tools, along with
support materials to assist instructors, are readily available online to be downloaded at
no cost.”
To obtain the free materials go to: http://www.nfpa.org/rememberingwhen
Latest firefighter injury report shows that nearly 70,000 injuries occurred in the line of duty in 2012
NFPA released the latest edition of its U.S. Firefi ghter Injury
Report, highlighting data on injuries sustained by fi refi ghters on
duty that was collected from fi re departments responding to the
2012 National Fire Experience Survey.
Firefi ghter injuries have declined over the past three decades,
hovering around roughly 100,000 from the early 1980’s through
early 1990’s. In 2012, 69,400 fi refi ghter injuries occurred in the line
of duty.
• Of those injuries, 31,490 (45.4 percent) occurred
during fi reground operations, with the leading causes
reported as overexertion, straining (27.5 percent) and
falling, slipping, and jumping (23.2 percent).
• The Northeast also reported a higher number of
fi reground injuries per 100 fi res than other regions of
the country.
The major types of injuries received during fi reground
operations were:
• strains, sprains, and muscular pain (55.2 percent)
• followed by wounds, cuts, bleeding, and bruising (12.2
percent)
• thermal stress (5.8 percent)
• and burns (5.7 percent)
An estimated 13,820 occurred during other on-duty
activities, including:
• 4,190 while responding to or returning from an incident
• 7,140 during training activities
• and 12,760 occurring at non-fi re emergency incidents
• Strains, sprains, and muscular pain accounted for 58.5
percent of all non-fi reground injuries
In addition to injuries, there were 8,150 exposures to infectious
diseases, and 19,200 exposures to hazardous conditions.
Read the latest NFPA Journal article on this newly released report
for more information.
http://www.nfpa.org/newsandpublications/nfpa-journal/2013/
november-december-2013/features/us-fi refi ghter-injuries-in-2012
Please visit your nearestSprint retailer orcall Telesales at 1-866-265-8306OR visit the websitewww.firerescuewireless.com
14 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
Call SummaryLast year our combined service answered 17,644
EMS calls, 5,635 fi re calls and 2,482 public service
calls.
What is the most challenging issue or issues facing your department today?Certainly the continued rapid residential growth
of the County and the economic situation is at the
forefront of our issues, as this has stressed our
service. Both have led to recruitment and retention
challenges for many of our volunteer partner
agencies, who have seen operational membership
drop to a point where they must ask for emergency
expanded County career support. The effect of this
on the Department is felt in the overtime budget,
resulting in the need to hire and train additional
career staff. Related to hiring, we also struggle
to make the Department more diverse to mirror
the community we represent. Success here is
dependent upon money and people to manage
outreach programs, and we are limited in resources
at this time. Preparing for additional technical
rescue service delivery, thanks in part to the
pending arrival of Metro into the County in 2016, is
another challenge. And, of course, as we seem to
be the lightweight construction poster child, we are
challenged by the hazards and of rapid energy fi res,
exterior fi re spread and early collapse. We have
ascribed to the USFA theme that ‘fi re is everyone’s
fi ght,” so we are focusing on developing aggressive
public fi re and life safety programs as well as heavy
stream placement as an offensive strategy when
public education fails.
Tenure in the fire service40 years, includes volunteer and career time.
Career “Journey”Probably began at age 2 or 3! The story goes that
I started chasing my dad, who had 51 years in the
Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company, when he would
leave for a fi re call. Actually, I became one of the
fi rst junior members at Purcellville VFC in 1973 at
the age of 16. I continued volunteering with the
Bridgewater (VA) Volunteer Fire Company and the
City of Harrisonburg (VA) Fire Department from
1975-1978 while attending Bridgewater College.
After graduation, I was hired by the Fairfax County
Fire and Rescue Department and worked there
until 1984 when I was hired by Loudoun County
as a Fire Training Offi cer. Through promotions, I
became Assistant Director, then Fire Marshal (2004-
2010) and was appointed Chief of Department in
November 2010.
Form of Government Loudoun County utilizes a County Administrator
form of government, with a 9-member Board of
Supervisors.
Sources of Funding for Your OrganizationFunding comes principally from local real and
personal property taxes. Certain additional funds
come from Aid to Localities, 4-for-Life and federal
UASI projects.
Population ServedWhen I started in 1984, we were at 80,000
population. Today we are at 340,000. Loudoun
County has been one of the fastest growing
jurisdictions in the United States for the last
decade, and we continue to see massive growth,
despite the recent economic downturn.
Meet The ChiefGetting to know Keith Brower… In this issue we will meet one of the many fire chiefs who will be spotlighted in the coming issues of Commonwealth Chief this year. Here we take a look at Chief W. Keith Brower, Jr. of the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management.
Square Miles Covered520 square miles, and this includes 7 incorporated
towns.
Department CompositionLoudoun County uses a combination fi re and
rescue service. The Department employs
505 career fi refi ghter/EMT’s and there are 16
volunteer companies with a collective strength of
approximately 1,000 operational and administrative
volunteers. The service operates out of 19 stations.
Operationally, career members provide 12 or 24
hour coverage to assist in all but one volunteer
agency. In addition, the Department manages the
9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center, the Fire
and Rescue Training Center, the Fire Marshal’s
Offi ce, Volunteer Programs and the Offi ce of
Emergency Management. The Department is the
system lead agency for programs related to Safety
and Health, Human Resources Management, Fleet
Management and Facility Maintenance.
Department EquipmentThe system utilizes 75 front line and reserve heavy
fi re and rescue apparatus (pumpers, ladders, heavy
rescues) and 40 transport ambulances. Specialty
apparatus includes a HazMat response unit,
HazMat support unit, a Medical Ambulance Bus
(MAB), Mass Casualty Support Unit (MCSU), Mobile
Air Unit (MAU), Mobile Command Unit, 2 Bomb
Squad response units, a Total Containment Vehicle
(TCV), 8 swift water boats and a host of Incident
Command and other Support vehicles. We also
utilize an accelerant canine provided by ATF.
How would you describe your management style?I attempt to provide broad direction in order to empower staff to run their
programs. Day-to-day I utilize a collaborative style which maximizes input from
staff and the myriad stakeholder groups that are present in a large combined
service. I clearly don’t have all the answers, but there is always someone out
there who does.
Does your department have a formal, long-range strategic plan?The Board of Supervisors adopted our service plan about 7 years ago. It has
provided a solid base to guide the direction of the service, however, it is out of
date. My hope is that there will be authorization to revise this soon.
How have current economic times impacted your department?The recent economic downturn resulted in several statewide program cuts and
unfunded mandates, i.e., Loss of ATL interest, local funding of Line-of-Duty, VRS
cost share and so on, that have been felt by all local government employees.
Maintaining employee morale has been made more diffi cult. I also believe that
the economy has forced people out of the volunteer pool as they must seek
employment elsewhere or work additional jobs just to make ends meet, and this
has resulted in the unplanned, emergency hiring of fi rst responders at several
our volunteer stations.
Are you doing things differently today because of the economy? We rely heavily on part-time instructors and have started to civilianize certain
positions in the organization to save money on salaries and benefi ts. We are
hopeful to begin implementing EMS Transport Reimbursement, which will
lessen the upward pressure on the real property tax rate. These funds will be
dedicated to supporting our EMS training and delivery services.
What challenges do you see facing the fire service today? We must change the culture to better understand fi re dynamics so that we
do more to cool fi res down before we go in. Eliminating the fl ashover risk is
imperative if we are to reduce LODD’s brought on by the rapid energy fi res of
today. It really is OK to hit the fi re quickly from the outside. It will probably go
out, which is why we were called in the fi rst place! Related, we need to get
the public to understand they are not safe in their homes during a fi re. Fires in
new construction have reduced occupant escape time from an average of 13
minutes to 3-4 minutes. We must focus on smoke alarms and other prevention
programs because we can’t get there fast enough. We must also stress the
importance and success of simple citizen CPR. We must use all avenues of
technology to get information out to the public, and we must also prepare
for the new technologies that will help us (on-line learning) as well as over
run us (NG 911) if we aren’t careful. Last, we must live Life Initiative #13 by
educating personnel about cancer. Every member should read the publication
“Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service” and make the simple as well
as longer term changes to reduce our exposures.
How do you view training?I think we do a better job at training to use “things” as opposed to working on
the “soft skills” that are critical to leading and developing our personnel. A
well-developed training program prepares and maintains all ranks in both areas.
Offi cer preparedness is another critical area. We are just now implementing an
Offi cer Candidate School to prepare aspiring offi cers to assume rank. The cost
was huge, but we view it as an investment that will last for a career. Last, I
think we now have the technologies in place to better use simulations to train
on differing situations. This provides a safe environment where mistakes do not
result in a tragic event. Our hope is to have a full command competencies lab in
service in the next year or so.
Do you have a close working relationship with neighboring departments? Yes. September 11, 2001 bore witness to the benefi ts of a regional approach
to fi re and EMS delivery, and our Board of Supervisors has formally committed
us to regional participation. We have recently updated most of our automatic
mutual aid agreements with contiguous jurisdictions and have adopted regional
communications and operational practices. As Chiefs, we interact on policy on
a regular basis. But, what makes this successful most of all are the personal
working relationships that we develop and share in crisis, we literally know our
mutual aid partners.
What do you look for in a new recruit?Be honest, demonstrate integrity and possess a “can do” attitude. We can
teach the rest.
What’s in the future for the fire service as you see it? Continuous change, doing more with less and increasing our community
outreach. I view these as opportunities to re-assess how we do business.
Operationally, it is clear that we have not achieved the intended outcomes
for residential sprinklers in new construction. Homes will continue to burn at
unprecedented speeds and green initiatives, namely natural lighting, use of
solar panels, roof gardens and so on, will only compound our problems with
access and structural integrity. So, instead of jeopardizing our crews, maybe
it’s time to embrace that a heavy defensive fi re attack is the best and safest
offense. In addition, maximizing public contact is vital to getting prevention
information out to the public. We also have the technology to target and teach
fi re and life safety to a variety of audiences. Finally, my hope is that we are ripe
to grow out of the “good old boy” network, as we are seeing more emphasis on
education, professional development and diversity and inclusion. The public
pays a high price for the protection we provide and we need to honor that.
How has being a member of the VFCA helped you become a better chief/leader? For me it has been about the friendships that I have been able to cultivate.
I was fortunate early on to have trained and run calls in two areas of the
state- Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. I have expanded these
friendships to all parts of Virginia through VFCA. I believe that exposure to
other leaders and their ideas provide more ideas that we can “borrow” to be
more effective in our jobs.
If you know someone who would be interesting to read about in this column,
contact Bill Smith, Editor, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association (888) 818-0893 or
18 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
Focus On Cancer Among Firefighters…In this issue we will feature several articles on the problem of cancer among firefighters. It is a growing problem among firefighters in today’s environment. However, it is a problem that can be beaten.
Chief Bill Metcalf, IAFC president and COB recently highlighted the problem in his IAFC INSIGHTS
The fi re service in recent years has expended an incredible amount of energy
– and rightly so – on fi refi ghter safety. We’ve implemented seatbelt pledges,
wellness/fi tness programs and dramatically improved fi reground safety. But
while we have been focusing in those areas, an insidious threat has been going
on among us – cancer in the fi re service.
Here are a few statistics that hopefully will get your attention:
• More fi refi ghters have been diagnosed with cancer in the last two years than
in the previous years combined.
• The fi refi ghter death rate from many types of cancer is two to three times
that of the general population.
• Retirees have shown cancer diagnosis rates of 50% or more per year.
Today, the line-of-duty deaths from traditional causes hover between 80 and 100
per year. Certainly, those numbers are concerning; but while we have focused
elsewhere; cancer has emerged as the No. 1 killer of fi refi ghters. If we were to
add in the deaths due to cancer contracted as a result of fi refi ghting, the annual
death rate would be between 700 and 800.
Cancer doesn’t receive the attention of the other occupational causes of death.
It grows silently and makes itself known at home or in the doctor’s offi ce – often
years after the event or well into retirement. But cancer among fi refi ghters is
clearly a signifi cant problem and one that we need to pay more attention to.
A number of organizations, including the IAFC and IAFF, are working on this
issue. The Firefi ghter Cancer Support Network actively is working to increases
fi refi ghter awareness on the issue. In August at Fire-Rescue International, the
FCSN released a white paper called “Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire
Service.” It highlights the cancer problem, what we know now about the causes
and suggests some simple activities we can take today to make it safer for
fi refi ghters. (Download the paper at www.fi rechief.com/bonus-content/.)
The whitepaper replaces misconceptions with fact. For example, while respiratory
disease is a threat, the bulk of the cancers that are showing up are due to dermal
contact. That is, we are exposed to materials on our skin
and in sensitive places where it is absorbed and bad things happen. We can do
the most good in preventing cancer in fi refi ghters by staying clean: clean our gear,
clean ourselves and do it every time.
The white paper concludes with a simple list of 11 steps we can take to
dramatically reduce cancer among fi refi ghters.( see related article) The list needs
to be printed out and plastered all over our stations.
While the work being done is important, we all need a great deal more data and
research in order to really understand what is happening. The research effort
is getting a big boost right now with a FIRE grant – funded study on fi refi ghter
cancer being conducted by NIOSH. The study will take place over the next few
years and will follow 30,000 fi refi ghters and their experience with cancer. For
more information on this study, visit http://tinyurl.com/l7mh6fx/.
If we are going to make true progress against this killer among us, we must
recognize it for what it is – the single biggest killer of fi refi ghters. We need
to develop and implement tracking mechanisms to measure the occurrence of
fi refi ghter cancer and attract more research dollars so we can better understand
the problem and identify solutions.
This is a problem that can be beaten, but it needs to come out of the dark corners
of the fi re service and into the bright light where we can talk about it, study it and
develop the tactics necessary to beat it. Let’s put as much energy into this fi ght
as we do into other challenges that have come before us.
This article is being reprinted with permission of
the IAFC.
Chief William R. Metcalf, EFO, CFO, MiFire, is
the president and chairman of the board of the
International Association of Fire Chiefs. He also
is the fi re chief for North County Fire Protection
District in Fallbrook, California, a suburb of San
Diego, and has served in that position since 2003.
An enemy among us
Commonwealth Chief • Visit Your Association on the Web at www.vfca.us 19
Taking Action Against CancerIn April 2013, the Firefi ghter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) invited a small group of experts to Indianapolis
to develop a white paper on cancer in the fi re service.
The participants came from the legal, medical and social-research communities, and the fi re service –
including volunteer, combination and career departments and chief offi cers, fi refi ghters, company offi cers,
union leaders and local and state fi re training directors. Two fi refi ghters who are cancer survivors participated
and every workshop participant knew fi refi ghters who currently have cancer or who died as a result of cancer.
They willingly shared their knowledge, experience, commitment and questions to better understand the
complexity of fi refi ghter cancer awareness. The discussions addressed prevention, diagnosis, treatment and
long-term implications for the fi refi ghter, the fi refi ghter’s family, their co-workers, the fi re department and
community policy. Importantly, they also identifi ed a series of actions that fi refi ghters can take to reduce
their exposure to chemicals that can cause or facilitate cancer.
In two-and-a-half days, the working group outlined and wrote the initial draft of a white paper describing the
status of cancer in the fi re service and developed answers to very challenging questions. This report is the
result of that working group which was enhanced by the additional review of multiple career and volunteer
operational fi re companies, additional clinical researchers and medical physicians, other stakeholders and
the leadership of FCSN.
Indianapolis Fire Department hosted the workshop at its headquarters, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan
Profession Firefi ghters Association IAFF Local 416 extended its well-known and gracious hospitality and
support, complimented by the facilitation skills of the Volunteer & Combination Offi cers Section of the
International Association of Fire Chiefs. A special thanks to Chief John Buckman for taking great notes
during the workshop and to Gary Briese for writing the document, to the Indianapolis Firefi ghter Emerald
Society Bagpipe Band for their bus, to the Indiana State Professional Firefi ghters Association for their
support and to Captain Tim McDonnell, IFD and FCSN Board Member, who did yeoman’s work in making the
on-site arrangements and logistics.
The FCSN offers our sincere appreciation to all of these individuals and organizations for this successful effort.
The report was released in late August.
The link to the document is: http://www.fi refi ghtercancersupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Taking-
Action-against-Cancer-in-the-Fire-Service.pdf
Firefi ghter Cancer Support link is: www.Firefi ghterCancerSupport.com
WHAT IMMEDIATE ACTIONS CAN I TAKE TO PROTECT MYSELF?1. Use SCBA from initial attack to
fi nish of overhaul. (Not wearing SCBA in both active and post-fi re environments is the most dangerous voluntary activity in the fi re service today.
2. Do gross fi eld decon of PPE to remove as much soot and particulates as possible.
3. Use Wet-Nap or baby wipes to remove as much soot as possible from head, neck, jaw, throat, underarms and hands immediately and while still on the scene.
4. Change your clothes and wash them immediately after a fi re.
5. Shower thoroughly after a fi re.
6. Clean your PPE, gloves, hood and helmet immediately after a fi re.
7. Do not take contaminated clothes or PPE home or store it in your vehicle.
8. Decon fi re apparatus interior after fi res.
9. Keep bunker gear out of living and sleeping quarters.
10. Stop using tobacco products.
11. Use sunscreen or sun block.
The importance of annual medical examinations cannot be overstated – early detection and early treatment are essential to increasing survival.
What is the Firefighter Cancer Problem?Firefi ghter cancer is a looming personal catastrophe for each and every fi refi ghter. Cancer is the most dangerous and unrecognized threat to the health and safety of our nation’s fi refi ghters.
Multiple studies, including the soon-to-be-released NIOSH cancer study, have repeatedly demonstrated credible evidence and biologic creditability for statistically higher rates of multiple types of cancers in fi refi ghters compared to the general American population.
20 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
$285,625,000 MILLION WAS APPROVED FOR 2012 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTER GRANTS2,457 AFG Grants have been awarded totaling $278,523,278 thru Round 38
To date 31 Virginia Departments have received grants totaling $3,950,518
Top State Grant RecipientsNo. Grants State Amount
232 PA $31,615,113
191 OH $23,389,144
142 NY $20,812,454
126 AL $14,064,539
Five Things Every Firefighter Needs to Know About Mesothelioma
For additional information on Mesothelioma, check out this website, www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/.
This month’s guest article is from Faith Franz, a writer for The Mesothelioma Center. It is reprinted with permission.
1. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Only 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with
mesothelioma each year. Almost all of those diagnoses are traced to asbestos exposure. When the carcinogenic fi bers
are inhaled, they can get trapped in the lining of the lungs, the lining of the stomach, or the lining of the heart. From
there, they can cause infl ammation, scarring and cancerous developments.
2. Firefi ghters have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than many other people. Any time they respond to a fi re
scene where the property was built before the 1980s, there’s a signifi cant chance that fi refi ghters will be handling friable
asbestos products. As asbestos-contaminated drywall, shingles, fl oor tiles and other similar products burn and smolder,
they can release their asbestos fi bers into the air.
3. Mesothelioma symptoms are primarily related to the respiratory system. Firefi ghters are no strangers to lung
disease – and while they’re on high alert for symptoms of COPD, asthma or emphysema, they should also be mindful
of mesothelioma’s respiratory symptoms. Coughing, shortness of breath, bloody sputum and chest pain are the fi rst
complications to develop.
4. Mesothelioma treatments can improve a patient’s prognosis – but prompt treatment is essential. Approximately
40 percent of patients achieve one year survival, with a few survivors reaching 10 or 20 years. Early diagnosis and
aggressive treatment (often a combination of lung surgery, radiation therapy and cisplatin or other mesothelioma
chemotherapy drugs) can improve a patient’s chances of survival.
5. Asbestos-related disease screenings and SCBAs are fi refi ghters’ most valuable tools against mesothelioma.
Respiratory gear – specifi cally self-contained breathing apparatuses with HEPA-grade fi lters – can prevent asbestos
from entering the body. However, to monitor the effects of exposure that has already occurred, regular health screenings
are a must.
In the chaos of a fire scene, the last thing on a firefighter’s mind is avoiding asbestos exposure. Yet nearly every day, firefighters are exposed to this carcinogenic material – and some will develop life-threatening health problems because of it.
Whether you’re relaxing at the station or enjoying a day off at home, take a few minutes now to commit the following information to memory. You may be in the business of saving others’ lives - but it’s important to give yourself the same courtesy.
U.S. Fire Administration releases annual report on firefighter fatalities
The U.S. Fire Administration announced in mid-September the release
of the report Firefi ghter Fatalities in the United States in 2012. There
were 81 on-duty fi refi ghter fatalities as a result of incidents that
occurred last year. The fatalities occurred in 31 states, one territory, and
one overseas military facility. A record low number of fi refi ghter deaths
were caused by heart attacks (39) but deaths caused by vehicle crashes
were back up with 18 fi refi ghters killed as the result of 14 accidents,
six involving POVs, six involving apparatus, and six from two incidents
involving aircraft.
Eighty-one fi refi ghters died while on duty in 2012.
• The total break down included 42 volunteer, 28 career, and 11
wildland agency fi refi ghters.
• There were 4 multiple fi refi ghter fatality incidents claiming a total
of 10 fi refi ghters.
• Fifteen fi refi ghters died in duties associated with wildland fi res.
• Activities related to emergency incidents resulted in the deaths of 45 fi refi ghters.
• Twenty-two fi refi ghters died while engaging in activities at the scene of a fi re.
• Seventeen fi refi ghters died while responding to or returning from 16 emergency
incidents.
• Eighteen fi refi ghters died as the result of 14 vehicle crashes, six involving POVs, six
involving apparatus, and six from two separate incidents involving aircraft.
• Heart attacks were the most frequent cause of death with 39 fi refi ghter deaths.
• Eight fi refi ghters died while they were engaged in training activities.
• Twelve fi refi ghters died after the conclusion of their on-duty activity.
The highest number of fi refi ghter deaths, based on the location of the fi re service
organization in 2012, occurred in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, with nine deaths each.
New York and Texas had the next highest totals of fi refi ghter fatalities in 2012, with six
fi refi ghter deaths each. Virginia suffered four fi refi ghter deaths.
Visit www.usfa.fema.gov to download this free report and previous reports back to 1986.
Commonwealth Chief • Visit Your Association on the Web at www.vfca.us 25
Obamacare could require volunteer agencies to offer health insurance…NVFC asks for exemption
On September 9, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) sent a letter to the
Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) asking that volunteers
be clearly exempted “…from being considered ‘employees’ of the organizations
they serve under the Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions of the (Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act or PPACA).” On September 12, the NVFC
issued an Action Alert through our Capwiz system asking subscribers to contact
their members of Congress, the President, Vice President, and the IRS to let them
know that, “…fi re and EMS agencies cannot afford to provide health insurance
for volunteer personnel and that volunteers do not have an expectation of
receiving such benefi ts from the agencies that they serve.”
The basic problem is that the IRS considers volunteers to be common law
employees of the agencies that they serve. PPACA, commonly referred to as
“health care reform” or “Obamacare,” requires large employers to provide full-
time employees with health insurance coverage. Because the IRS considers
volunteers to be employees and it falls to the IRS to enforce the Employer
Shared Responsibility Provision of the PPACA, the NVFC believes that many fi re
departments could end up facing penalties starting in 2015 if they do not offer
health insurance benefi ts to their volunteers.
Paying for members’ health insurance just isn’t an option for the overwhelming
majority of volunteer fi re and EMS agencies. One of the main reasons that
emergency services rely on volunteers is that they often lack resources to pay
full-time salaries and benefi ts. Volunteer emergency responders commonly serve
in rural communities with small tax bases and higher-than-average rates of
poverty.
Injury rates in emergency services professions are much higher than for other
occupations, and it is critical that volunteer fi refi ghters and EMS personnel have
access to affordable health insurance coverage. Most volunteer fi refi ghters and
EMS personnel have full-time jobs outside of the department which, ideally,
would offer health insurance benefi ts. Those without access to employer-
provided insurance should be able to purchase affordable coverage through the
exchanges if they don’t qualify for Medicaid.
The goal of the PPACA is to make it possible for those without access to
employer- or government-provided insurance to be able to purchase affordable
coverage through insurance exchanges. It is critical that volunteer fi refi ghters and
EMS personnel have access to affordable health insurance coverage. Exempting
volunteers from being treated as employees under the law will allow them to
make use of the exchanges without having to worry that the agency that they
serve will be fi ned as a result.
The impact of the PPACA on the volunteer emergency services community could
vary greatly depending on how or whether the fi nal implementing regulations that
the IRS issues address the application of the law to volunteers. Fully exempting
volunteers (including individuals who receive minor benefi ts in appreciation for
their service) from being considered employees under the law as requested by
the NVFC would be the quickest and easiest way to address this. If volunteers
are not exempted it will depend on what the fi nal regulations say, how individual
agencies choose to interpret them, and how the IRS goes about enforcing them.
Until the fi nal implementing regulations are published it will be diffi cult to
estimate how many agencies will be impacted. Very large volunteer agencies,
combination departments, and departments that are part of a unit of government
that employs people on a full-time basis are the most likely to be considered
large employers. Without clear guidance, even agencies that do not have
enough personnel working enough hours on a regular basis to be considered
large employers under PPACA may take steps to protect themselves, potentially
including eliminating recruitment and retention incentives or restricting volunteer
membership and/or hours worked.
Some in Congress have called for the PPACA to be repealed or defunded. Despite
repeated attempts in recent years, both houses of Congress have not passed
legislation repealing the PPACA and President Obama has indicated that if such
legislation were to reach his desk that he would veto it. The NVFC has no position
on the PPACA generally and does not view eliminating the law as a viable option
for addressing the problem of volunteers being treated as employees under the
Employer Shared Responsibility Provision.
This article was drafted in late November. To fi nd out the latest information on
this issue, go to www.NVFC.org and do a website search using the keyword
“PPACA.”
Source: Congressional Research Service analysis of P.L. 111-148 and P.L. 111-152
Not all volunteer departments will be required to provide health insurance as a
result of the PPACA. Many departments will not have enough members working
enough hours on a consistent basis to be subject to the PPACA penalties.
Employers must have 50 or more “full-time or full-time equivalent employees”
to be considered “large employers” under the law. “Full-time employees” are
individuals who work for 30 hours or more per week on a consistent basis for a
particular employer. Employers with 30 or fewer full-time employees will not be
penalized for not offering health insurance coverage under the PPACA, even if
they qualify as a “large employer.”
“FIRE-SAFE” CIGARETTES ARE MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO 30-YEAR LOW IN SMOKING MATERIAL FIRE DEATHSAccording to a report released by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
in October, 540 civilian deaths in the United States were attributed to smoking
material fi res in 2011, a 30 year low that is well down from 1980 levels. In 2011,
there were an estimated 90,000 smoking material fi res resulting in $621 million
in direct property damage.
The decline in smoking, the effect of standards and regulations that have made
mattresses and upholstered furniture more resistant to cigarette ignition, and
more recently, adoption of fi re-safe cigarette requirements throughout the
country, are factors the report credits with the decrease in smoking material fi re
deaths over the past 31 years. The long-term trend in smoking material fi res is
down by 73 percent from 1980 to 2011.
“Fire safe,” or reduced ignition strength cigarettes, as determined by ASTM
test standards and state laws on acceptable performance, appear to be the only
factor contributing to the decline in smoking material fi re deaths that had not
leveled off or phased out before 2003 – the last year before the fi re-safe cigarette
law was effective in any state.
2012 was the fi rst year all 50 state laws were effective and all inventories of
pre-standard cigarettes should have sold out. A projection linking the percentage
decline in fi res or fi re deaths to the percentage of smokers covered suggested
that when the law was fully effective across the entire country in late 2011, the
reduction in fi re deaths should reach 30 percent, relative to levels in 2003, and
as predicted by the projection in the previous NFPA report, estimated fi re deaths
were 30 percent lower than in 2003.
“It is good news to see this 30 year low and fewer people dying in smoking-
material fi res,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and
Advocacy. “Lives were saved and will continue to be saved as a direct result of
efforts of the Fire Safe Cigarette Coalition, a group of safety advocates, the fi re
service and others, who in the past decade joined together to see that fi re-safe
cigarettes become the standard.”
Other key fi ndings in the report show:
• One out of four fatal victims of smoking-material fi res is not the smoker whose
cigarette started the fi re.
• Older adults are at highest risk of death or injury from home smoking material
fi res, even though they are less likely to smoke than younger adults.
NFPA has developed safety information, including safety tips focusing on safe
behavior, storage, and disposal of smoking materials:
+ Use a deep, sturdy ashtray. Place it away from anything that can burn.
+ Before going to bed, check under furniture cushions and around places where
people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
+ Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials up high out of
the reach of children, in a locked cabinet.
28 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
Cost of installing residential fire sprinklers averages $1.35 per square footNew Fire Protection Research Foundation report assesses costs
The cost to install home fi re sprinklers in 51 homes in 17 communities averaged
$1.35 per sprinklered square foot, down from the $1.61 average in 2008,
according to a report conducted by Newport Partners (Newport) and released
by the Fire Protection Research Foundation (the Foundation) an affi liate of the
National Fire Protection Association. (Sprinklered square feet is a measure of
total area of spaces with sprinklers.) The new report, Home Fire Sprinkler Cost
Assessment – 5 Year Update, provides a national perspective on the cost of
installing home fi re sprinklers.
The primary purpose of the 2013 study was to review current home fi re sprinkler
costs against a 2008 benchmark study, Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment,
also commissioned by the Foundation and conducted by Newport, to better
understand the relationship between adoptions, various elements of cost such
as installation and materials, how effi ciency in design or installation may be
introduced and more.
In 2008, sprinklers were becoming more common in one- and two-family
homes but adoption was not widespread. Fire sprinklers in homes have steadily
increased in recent years, driven in large part by building codes, outreach and
education. Two states - California and Maryland - have sprinkler requirements in
place for all new one- and two-family homes with numerous other jurisdictions in
the process of partial or full adoption of the provision.
The current study examines 51 homes in 17 communities throughout the U.S.
selected on the basis of geography, regulations, housing types, sprinkler systems
and materials, and water supply situations. The 2008 study examined 30 homes
in 10 U.S. communities.
“There is concrete data that shows home fi re sprinklers save lives and reduce
losses from fi re,” said Kathleen Almand, executive director of the Fire Protection
Research Foundation. “However, objective cost information is diffi cult to fi nd. Our
latest research project provides these costs based on actual data.”
About the Fire Protection Research Foundation
The Fire Protection Research Foundation plans, manages, and communicates
research on a broad range of fi re safety issues in collaboration with scientists
and laboratories around the world. The Foundation is an affi liate of NFPA.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fi re, electrical, building, and life safety. The
mission of the international nonprofi t organization founded in 1896 is to
reduce the worldwide burden of fi re and other hazards on the quality of life by
providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and
education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the
possibility and effects of fi re and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards
can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
Two New Active Shooter Resources AvailableMore than 250 people have been killed in the United States during what has
been classifi ed as active shooter and mass casualty incidents (AS/MCIs) since
the Columbine High School shootings in 1999. AS/MCIs involve one or more
suspects who participate in an ongoing, random or systematic shooting spree,
demonstrating the intent to harm others with the objective of mass murder.
It has become evident that these events may take place in any community
impacting fi re and police departments, regardless of their size or capacity. Local
jurisdictions must build suffi cient public safety resources to handle AS/MCI
scenarios. Local fi re/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and law enforcement
(LE) must have common tactics, communications capabilities and terminology
to have seamless, effective operations. They should also establish standard
operating procedures (SOPs) for these very volatile and dangerous situations.
The goal is to plan, prepare and respond in a manner that will save the maximum
number of lives possible.
Extraordinary efforts on the part of local fi re/EMS agencies and direct pre-
planned coordination with LE is required during response to these events in order
to rapidly affect rescue, save lives, and enable operations with mitigated risk
to personnel. It is essential that local policies be put in place before AS/MCIs
happen to ensure coordinated and integrated planning, preparation, response,
treatment and care.
The recognition of AS/MCIs as a reality in modern American life has led to
the assembly of a number of public safety organizations representing various
disciplines to share and develop strategies for combating the problem. One
group, convened by the American College of Surgeons and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation in Hartford, Connecticut, developed a concept document for the
purpose of increasing survivability in mass casualty shootings. The paper, The
Hartford Consensus, describes methods to minimize loss of life in these incidents.
In the wake of the recent active shooter incident at the Washington Navy Yard,
responders now have two new resources to guide their work in preparing for
active shooter events.
• USFA’s Fire and Emergency medical Department Operational Considerations
and Guide for Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Incidents (pdf)
• Urban Fire Forum’s Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Terrorist Events Position
Paper (pdf)
The two resources are part of the fi re service community’s ongoing work to
develop consensus around response considerations and provide tools for
preparing for this growing threat. The IAFC is proud to have collaborated on both
resources and urges members to review and take action as appropriate.
The Urban Fire Forum, a gathering of fi re chiefs responsible for protecting some
of the largest urban centers in the world, including IAFC members and leaders,
also approved the Fire Service Deployment: Assessing Community Vulnerability
position paper at their meeting in September.
30 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
2014 Fire Chiefs Foundation Golf Tournament SetOver the past three years the VFCF has held an annual golf tournament to raise
funds to provide scholarships to emergency responders and their immediate
family members. In addition, funds have been used to support the Virginia
Fire Offi cers Academy. This academy is a week long resident program held at
the University of Richmond and is used to help develop and grow the future
leadership of the fi re service.
Over the past couple of years you have either been a faithful supporter through
sponsorship or attended this event and played. I wanted to get this notice out
early so you can save the date and hopefully consider how you may continue to
partner with the VFCF in 2014. Can the VFCF count on your assistance?
1. Share this email with at least 10 friends (hopefully more), family or possible
sponsors - by sharing this information we can cast a wider net and hopefully
increase the participation in sponsorships and attendance.
2. Are you willing to sponsor a hole or something related to the event?
3. Are you a golfer that will come and play? If you do not play golf I bet you know
someone who does.
The goal for 2014 is to max out the course with 144 golfers and to raise $30,000
for the VFCF. Please see the attached fl yer and let me know if you have any
questions regarding this event.
Thanks in advance for your help-- It is greatly appreciated!!!!
Time Flies… Cindy Marshall, APS President 2013
It’s hard to believe how fast this year has gone by and we will be installing
new offi cers in February. It has been a pleasure to serve as the president of the
Administrative Professional’s Section. It makes me proud to work with the folks
that are so dedicated to the fi re service and the passion they have to move it
forward.
Thank you to all the allies I have had through these past two years serving as
an offi cer. I look forward to continuing to work with our incoming president,
Sherri Laffoon. I learned a lot from the Board as well as the Section members.
The networking is really the most invaluable part of this great organization. I
look forward to the training opportunity at the newly named Virginia Fire Rescue
Conference at the beach!
Good luck to all the incoming offi cers and I will continue to be very involved with
the Section and always offer my help and support to any of the members.
Smoke alarms save lives!
Retired Martinsville Fire Chief Mourned; Called Mentor, InspirationRetired Martinsville Fire Chief Jerry Brock died Tuesday, but his legacy of
community service will continue in Martinsville. Brock was found lying on
asphalt at his mother’s home on Myrtle Road around dark Tuesday, according to
Kris Shrader, deputy fi re chief with Martinsville Fire & EMS. A ladder, leaf blower
and other tools were nearby, but offi cials were not sure whether there had
been an accident or a medical emergency, Shrader said Wednesday. Brock was
taken to Memorial Hospital in Martinsville and airlifted to Roanoke Memorial
Hospital, where he died Tuesday night, Shrader said. Brock’s body was taken to
the medical examiner’s offi ce for determination of what happened. “It’s a tragic
accident at this point,” Shrader said, adding that today offi cials hope to learn the
cause of Brock’s death.Brock, 65, began his association with the Martinsville Fire
Department by spending fi ve years as a volunteer fi refi ghter before he was hired
as a career fi refi ghter on Jan. 1, 1975. Working his way up in the ranks, Brock
was named lieutenant in 1987; assistant chief in 1988; and fi re chief in 1996. He
assumed that offi ce in January 1997 and retired in 2006.
NIOSH Respirators User Notice: Chemical Warfare AgentsThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued a
Respirators User Notice stating that an error was made during recent testing of
SCBA that calls into questions the ability of some SCBA to meet NIOSH and NFPA
standards for protection against chemical warfare agents.
The NIOSH notice states that agents used in testing from July 2012 through
October 2013 were less than that required by NIOSH test procedures and
therefore SCBA cannot be validated as in compliance with the CBRN standards
until retesting is completed.
NIOSH is working with both SCBA manufactures and NFPA to address the issue.
The VFCA recommends that its members review the NIOSH Respirators User
Notice found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ npptl/ usernotices/notices/notice
11272013.html
4th Annual
Virginia Fire Chiefs Foundation Golf Tournament May 16, 2014
Lees Hill Golf Club 10200 Old Dominion Parkway Fredericksburg, VA 22408
All proceeds benefit the Virginia Fire Chiefs Foundation which provides educational opportunities to fire and emergency services professionals.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Official Title Sponsor - $1,500 Includes full registration for 4 Players Corporate banner placement on site and at awards ceremonySignage at designated hole Title Sponsor acknowledgment in tournament program
Gold Sponsor - $1,000 Golf Cart Sponsor - $500 Includes full registration fo r 4 Players Company Signage placed in each golf cart Opportunity to provide company promotional items Opportunity to provide company promotional items Signage at designated hole Sponsor acknowledgment in tournament program Gold Sponsor acknowledgment in tournament program Beverage Cart Sponsor - $250 Putting Green Sponsor - $300 3 company sponsor signs placed onto beverage cart Opportunity to provide company promotional items Opportunity to provide company promotional items Signage on putting green du ring event Sponsor acknowledgment in tournament program Sponsor acknowledgment in tournament program Driving Range Sponsor - $300 Hole Sponsor - $125 Opportunity to provide company promotional items Custom signage placed on hole Signage on driving rang e during event Sponsor acknowledgment in tournament program Sponsor acknowledgment in tournament program
Please send the below form with your check for your sponsorship and players to: Chris Eudailey
6520 Prospect Street Fredericksburg, VA 22407 (540) 891 -7226 or [email protected]
$80 per player - Make check payable to: VFCF
Registration & Range Open at: 11:00am Shotgun Start at: 12:00pm Format: Captains Choice Please check off your level of sponsorship _______ Official Title Sponsor – $1,500 _______ Gold Sponsor – $1,000 _______ Golf Cart Sponsor – $500 _______ Hole Sponsor – $125/ea. _______ Beverage Cart Sponsor – $250 _______ __ Driving Range Sponsor - $300 _______ Putting Green S ponsor - $300 _______ No Sponsorship – Golf Only = $ ___________ _______ Donation only = $ ___________ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $___________
Sponsor / Contact Name:
Sponsor Company Name:
Phone: Fax: Email:
Address:
Player 1: Player 2:
Player 3: Player 4:
Commonwealth Chief • Visit Your Association on the Web at www.vfca.us 31
32 Commonwealth Chief • January 2014
The fi re problem in the United States is an ongoing and continuous battle for
the fi re service and the public alike. According to the U.S. Fire Administration
(USFA), 81 percent of all fi re deaths and 76 percent of all fi re injuries occurred in
residential buildings. Each year there is an estimated:
• 365,500 residential building fi res reported to U.S. fi re departments
• 2,560 deaths
• 13,275 injuries
• $6.6 billion in property loss
This is a call to action for USFA, fi re and life safety partner organizations and the
American public. We must join together to help reduce the number of home fi res,
and the resulting deaths, injuries and loss of property. We rely on the fi re service
to fi ght fi res once they occur; however, the prevention of fi res is up to all of us ...
Fire is Everyone’s Fight™.
Fire is Everyone’s Fight public service announcement
Fire is Everyone’s Fight is designed to unite the fi re service and many others
in a collaborative effort to reduce home fi re injuries, deaths and property loss.
It invites fi re departments, safety advocates, community groups, schools and
others to rally behind a common and compelling theme. USFA and its partners
will communicate and reinforce key lessons across many proven fi re safety and
prevention initiatives and programs.
Download
• Action Plan and Talking Points: Fire Is Everyone’s Fight (PDF, 433 Kb)
Partners across the Nation – the motivating force
USFA recognizes the power of partnership as a critical means of marketing and
delivering accurate and consistent safety messages into the community. Fire is
Everyone’s Fight is based on social marketing research commissioned by the
grassroots Vision 20/20 fi re safety consortium with funding from an Assistance
to Firefi ghters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. USFA
is asking partners to use the Fire is Everyone’s Fight tagline with existing or
new materials. Based on partner resources, they may implement a number
of strategies, such as sharing information with staff, member organizations,
community groups, and other stakeholders. By leveraging Fire is Everyone’s
Fight resources, supporting dissemination or advertising efforts and encouraging
state and local chapters to join in the initiative, the fi re safety community can
present a consistent, repetitive message that helps diverse members of our
society take action to reduce their risk of fi re. This includes support for public
service announcement (PSA) placements, educational outreach to community
organizations, local media relations activities and other activities.
Partners may:
• Incorporate the theme Fire is Everyone’s Fight into their existing fi re prevention
materials or create new fi re prevention and safety materials with the theme.
• Provide a list of the audiences to which the partners reach out on a regular
basis (older adults, parents, teachers, local businesses, etc.)
• Provide a list of communications tools that the partners have resources and
access to produce (radio PSAs, TV PSAs, newsletters, websites, blogs, etc.)
• Help identify new tools and resources to fi ll gaps and strengthen outreach
efforts.
• Identify barriers and challenges to address collaboratively.
Fire is Everyone’s Fight resources
USFA will lead an effort to determine what resources are already available to
the public as well as fi re and life safety organizations, highlighting those that
have been evaluated for effectiveness. Once this inventory of the materials is
completed, USFA will work with its partners to identify the gaps. Where possible,
USFA will develop new resources to meet key needs. Partners will be asked to
use their resources as well to assist in fi lling these gaps and providing new
information, products and/or materials to the public.
USFA will include a Fire is Everyone’s Fight web page and a range of trademarked
graphics for use on partner materials. Other resources for partner discussion and
sharing will be available via the “Fire is Everyone’s Fight” web page.
How you can support Fire is Everyone’s Fight
Fire is Everyone’s Fight is a national effort led by the U.S. Fire Administration.
The fi re safety and prevention network will grow as momentum builds with the
support of many different organizations, communities and the public at large.
This network will use a wide range of fi re safety and prevention resources to
communicate the importance of taking action to protect ourselves and the people
we love from fi re.
Learn how your organization can support the development of this exciting
initiative and share your ideas with USFA about ways to help it grow in
communities across America. For more information, contact: Teresa Neal at (301)
447-1024 or [email protected]
The Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc. - January 2014
Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.
PO Box 70907
Richmond, VA 23255-0907